Crews from across Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) were called to a fire at a gas plant in Bristol following an explosion involving a number of acetylene cylinders.

A deluge system at the plant operated to control the fire which was contained to the warehouse where the cylinders were stored.

Initially firefighters from Brislington and Temple were mobilised to the scene, with a number of further appliances and resources called to rendezvous at fire and rescue service headquarters to stand by until the incident could be assessed.

Three people on site were reported injured. They were treated by paramedics on the scene before being taken to hospital.

As a standard precaution a 200 metre exclusion zone was immediately set up around the site and police advised people to avoid the area. Trains on the nearby railways lines were also suspended as they fell into the exclusion zone.

On assessing the situation and potential risks, appliances and resources were called for from the rendezvous-point to attend the incident. This included the service’s High Volume Pump (HVP) from Nailsea’s Urban Search and Rescue facility, the Command, Command Support and Welfare Units.

A pipe line was set up using the HVP from an access point on the Feeder Road to enable high quantities of water to be brought to Whitby Road should it be required. The boat from Bedminster was also launched to ensure safe conditions for HVP crews working near the water.

Crews from Bedminster, Speedwell, Kingswood, Nailsea, Patchway, Yate, Southmead, Avonmouth, Speedwell, Chew Magna, Winscombe, Weston-super-Mare, Bath and Pill were used throughout the night to ensure fire and rescue service presence throughout the night.

During the incident the service supplemented water to the warehouse site via ground monitor water jets to help put out the burning gases and cool the cylinders. The incident was regularly monitored and the cordon remained in place overnight.

On Friday morning the cordon was reduced following a risk assessment on site and the train lines were re-opened.

A fire and rescue service presence remained on site throughout the day.